Mobile floating deck barge with containment and waste water recycling system

ABSTRACT

A mobile floating deck barge system is provided for use in performing work on the underside of a bridge or other structure extending over a body of water.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/545,859 filed on Oct. 11, 2011 entitled MOBILEFLOATING DECK BARGE WITH CONTAINMENT AND WASTE WATER RECYCLING, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to constructing, inspecting, repairing,cleaning, prepping, painting, and performing maintenance on theundersides of bridges and other over-water structures, allowing for thecapture of water-blasting and sand-blasting debris and for recycling ofblast-waters to remove particulate matter, and packaging the particulatefor easy removal. Known devices for accomplishing these tasks generallycomprise small lifts on flat decked barges, large expanses of canvashanging from the undersides of bridges down to the water, and eitherlarge vacuum systems for sand-blasting, or a broom for water-blastingdebris collection. In areas immediate to abutments, steel scaffolding isusually welded up into a complex structure that may take up to two weeksof crew labor to erect. Except for aerial suspended platforms, mostsystems provide a working deck that is small, usually a 4′×8′ man-liftplatform rolled onto a deck barge. One working condition in navigablechannels is that the gear must be cleared away in a reasonable time toallow the Coast Guard to perform vital functions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a mobile floating deck bargesystem is provided for use in performing work on an underside of astructure extending over a body of water. The system includes a bargethat can float on the body of water. The barge has a containment wellfor receiving blast waters and/or debris from said work. The system alsoincludes a working deck platform having openings through which blastwaters and/or debris can pass to the containment well. A lift mechanisminstalled on the barge supports the working deck platform and isconfigured to move the working deck platform between a lowered restposition and an elevated working position proximate the underside of thestructure. A miniskirt is attached to the underside of the structure andextends to the working deck platform when the working deck is in theelevated working position. The miniskirt inhibits release of blastwaters and/or debris from the system. A containment bag extends from theworking deck to the barge when the working deck is in the elevatedworking position. The containment bag also inhibits release of blastwaters and/or debris from the system.

In accordance with one or more further embodiments, a method is providedfor performing work on an underside of a structure extending over a bodyof water. The method comprises the steps of: providing a barge that canfloat on the body of water, said barge having a containment well and aworking deck platform on the barge; raising said working deck platformfrom a lowered rest position on the barge to an elevated workingposition proximate the underside of the structure; and performing workon the underside of the structure from the working deck platform, andpassing used blast waters and/or debris from the work through openingsin the working deck platform to the containment well, while inhibitingrelease of the blast waters and/or debris into the body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mobile floating deck systemin accordance with one or more embodiments shown operating verticallybut not side-slung.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile floating deck system in arest position with a deployed “mini-skirt.”

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mobile floating deck system inoperation vertically and side-slung over a projecting abutment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mobile floating deck system illustrating thegeneral deck layout.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mobile floating deck system with thecontainment bag removed for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower end of the lift mechanisminside the containment well of the mobile floating deck system.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the lift mechanism shown inisolation in the resting and full vertical positions, respectively, andshowing, in a simplified way, the cross-slide rails for the mobileplatform.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lift mechanism, showing detailsaround the tops of the leg sections in way of the carts.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating further details of theunderside of the platform and the carts.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view generally illustrating components of theblast water recycling system.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing further details of the recyclingsystem of the mobile floating deck system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A mobile floating deck system in accordance with various embodimentsprovides a large safe work deck that can be quickly erected and takendown. In addition, the mobile floating deck system can be slid sidewaysover abutments. The mobile floating deck system captures water-blastingand/or sand-blasting debris, recycles blast-waters to remove particulatematter, and packages the particulate for easy removal.

The mobile floating deck system uses a short canvas enclosure attachedto the work area to be pulled over a solid aluminum railing of theworking deck. This short “mini-skirt” can in some embodiments have adepth of not more than ten feet, being a shorter depth than the full“dress” tarps currently employed. It can be better fastened and moreeasily adjusted and moved. The working deck itself is made up ofremovable fiberglass grating sections, so that material that hits thedeck can pass through.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, “guard” bars are providedoverhead which, when coming into contact with the overhead structure,will activate limit switches to the hydraulic lift mechanism. Theplatform containing the working deck is capable of translating sideways,and is adjusted by a series of stays and turnbuckles in the usualfashion, moved by pistons in both directions. While simple pistons areshown in the drawings, necessitating a clearance hole for sliding theplatform in both directions, more expensive double sided pistons(steering cylinder) can also be used.

Below the platform is a containment-bag preferably comprising four tarpsmade up so that the short side tarps overlap on the long sides to makeenclosed corners. A custom bag can also be constructed. However, becausethe containment bag will typically become torn and need replacement, useof standard tarps is preferred. The bag is fastened around the platformto a skirt board, which will form a secondary containment edge aroundthe outside of the work platform and solid aluminum rail. The bagfastens to the skirt board with a pinch bar held by nuts to studs weldedevery three feet on the skirt board. The containment bag is looselyfastened inside the rim of the containment well in the barge, and can betensioned with tag lines so that debris falls cleanly down into thewell. The long sided tarps may be rigged to rollers with the short sidedtarps hung to fit and to create the overlapped “bag”; but most likelythe tarpaulin “bag” will simply fall into a pipe-basket inside the rimof the containment well.

The barge itself has many features of an ordinary deck barge includingcleats, bitts, and spuds. However several features distinguish it. Thebarge has a raised solid outer rail, which acts as a secondarycontainment at the main deck level. The barge also has a large centerwell with a sump and is easily cleaned of sand, water, and debris. Thereis a generator aft with a control station for the device; there are alsorepeater controls on the platform. The forward deck has amulti-chambered settling tank and screen system to recycle blast waterfor re-use and to remove particulate matter and package it in re-useablecontainers for disposal. The barge contains a fresh water blasting tank,a recycled water tank, and four water ballast tanks which also utilizefresh water for maintenance considerations. Fixed cement ballast is alsoprovided to set the device's initial stability properties. In the usualway, the barge is segmented into numerous water-tight compartments toprevent sinking in case of puncture. The water ballasting system is usedto counterbalance the sliding platform, and may also be used to adjustthe height of the barge and therefore the entire device in relation tothe water.

The lift mechanism is designed for use in a variety of conditions,including, e.g., the unstable surface to which it is mounted, and thesometimes caustic nature of materials in the containment well. Theplatform and associated masses do not shift in the fore and aftdirection, which would make the ballasting (stability) situation moredifficult. Accordingly, one difference with known lifts is that themoving parts and delicate pistons and hose connections are on the uppercarriage, leaving a simplified base-shoe, which can be easily cleanedand maintained. Additionally, opposing parallelogram “towers” are used,which each and together are designed to resist the corkscrew and twistmotion generated by wave action.

Optionally, a secondary set of three or four identical pistons fixed atthe opposing base shoe area and pushing “up” could enable heavy liftingwith an appropriate platform or platform modification. This could be aremovable kit, and the fiberglass grating could be selectively removedto allow a cradle to sit directly on top of the platform carriage frame.

Optionally, the piston position may be adjusted to offset theplatform-carriage in the fore and aft direction (mobile in bothdirections). (As an example, a beam may be hoisted up and slid over,then finely adjusted, to rest on pilings or posts under a dock where acrane cannot reach)

The waste recycling system picks up debris from a sump in thecontainment well with a trash-pump, preferably a bellows action largediameter pump. Debris laden water passes into a diffuser box, whichsplits and slows the velocity of the streams so that they pour into eachside of the cascade at a useable velocity. Each side of the Cascade ismade up of two or more 55 gallon drums employing a channel shaped baffleand anti-splash plate to facilitate the “settling action” and catchfloating debris. The entire unit is adjustable for angle, and aprovision for altering the relative heights of the drums to one anothermay be employed, so as to be able to control the amount and final weightof the material in the 55 gallon drums. As water leaves the cascade viathe “trickle down trays,” a fenced base with a lipped outlet offers asecondary catchment to the flow with any remaining particulate, beforethe water falls through a pair of fine particle screen boxes. From thescreen boxes, the water goes directly by pipe into the recycled blastwater hold. The hold is equipped with a hatch coaming with one low sideso that if the tank becomes full, it overflows back into the containmentwell, while a hatch inhibits contamination of the hold. A return linebrings recycled water back through another screened pickup to the blastwater tank to be reused, if desired, or alternately to be pumped to atank truck or elsewhere for processing and disposal.

The system can be scaled up into multiple sizes, and can have multiplevariations.

FIG. 1 shows the mobile floating deck system deployed in vertical-only“floating” mode. The barge 1 is deployed in the usual way with spuds(shown in FIG. 5 by reference number 22). Platform 2 is raisedvertically. Containment bag 4 is fixed to the base of the platform 2,loosely fixed inside the rim of the containment well (not shown). Themini-skirt 4 a is fastened up to the underside of the bridge 80 with itslower extremities draped inside the railing 47 of the platform. Anoperator controls various functions from the control section 6.

FIG. 2 shows the mobile floating deck system in a “rest” mode. Themini-skirt 4 a is left surrounding the work area. The platform 2 islowered fully and centered.

FIG. 3 shows the mobile floating deck system fully deployed vertically“floating” and side-slung “mobile.” (As used herein, “floating” refersto vertical movement and “mobile” refers to side movement of theplatform.) The mini-skirt 4 a has been moved to the abutment 82 of thebridge 80. The containment bag 4 is shaped by tag lines (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the deck plan.

FIG. 5 shows the system with the containment bag (and body of water)removed for purposes of illustration. The barge 1 is fixed in place bythe spuds 22 or tied to another barge in the usual way. The liftmechanism 3 supporting the platform 2 is more clearly shown in thisfigure. The containment well 11 also holds the base feet for the liftmechanism 3.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway looking into the containment well 11, showing themembers of the structural frame built into the barge. The slidingplatform is not shown in this figure. The containment well 11 forms ahold for waste. Waste is picked up at the containment well sump 12. Nowdetailing the lift from the bottom up; the base shoes 28 rest on thestructural I-beams below. The bottom of the containment well is builtaround the shoes, ¼″ steel plate laid over poured and formed cementballast 10, and locks the base shoes in place. Reference number 32indicates the inner leg sections, reference number 31 indicates theouter leg sections, and reference number 33 indicates sway bars. Slidingplatform rails (not shown) sit on the platform carriage frame 23.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 detail the lift mechanism from the top showing (inFIG. 8), the action of the pistons 41-42, and without any framing detailshowing the position of the side action pistons 46, and the slidingplatform rails 24. At one end of the platform, a fixed rail section, theplatform non-sliding access gate section 26 is attached.

FIG. 9 shows the details around the tops of the leg sections in way ofthe carts 34 and 38. Here the lift mechanism is not fully elevated, sothe carts can be clearly seen. The pistons 41 and 42 push inward on thecarts 34 and 38 to produce the upward action. The cart guides, herelabeled as cart guide wheels 39 and 35 ride in the split channel framemaking up the platform carriage (not shown).

FIG. 10 shows further detail of the underside of the platform 2 and thecarts 38 and 34. The platform carriage frame 23 is primarily comprisedof four split box-tubes. Removable sections of fiberglass grating areindicated at 44. A system of cables and turnbuckles 45 are provided fortaking twist out of the platform.

FIG. 11 is an overview of the waste separation system 5. Water is pumpedfrom the containment well sump 12 through a pickup hose 50, into thetrash pump 51, and continues on to the diffuser box 52. The diffuser boxsplits the stream and pours into the cascade of drums 53, which can,e.g., be 55 gallon drums. The Settling Baffles 54 reduce splash, andhold back floating debris, hinge out of the way for 55 gallon drumremoval. The Trickle Down Trays 55 guide overflow to the Base Tray 56,which has another settling dam and particle catcher 57, before fallingover a lip and through a pair of Fine Particle Screen Boxes 58 to theRecycled Water Holding Tank 60.

FIG. 12 shows the waste separation system 5 in the Resting Position. ASettling Baffle 54 is rotated out of the way on a guide and the 55gallon drum 53 associated with it is lifted out with a standard barrelgrab, also sometimes referred to as a drum lifter or drum lift. Thetwo-stage fine particle screen boxes 58 are formed with a splash backand integral handles. The whole Cascade Assembly is rotated to the RestPosition by Piston 61.

In accordance with one or more alternate embodiments, the waterseparation system 5 is located off the barge, e.g., on another barge.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to beappreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of thisdisclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specificcombinations of functions or structural elements, it should beunderstood that those functions and elements may be combined in otherways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same ordifferent objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and featuresdiscussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to beexcluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments.

Additionally, elements and components described herein may be furtherdivided into additional components or joined together to form fewercomponents for performing the same functions.

Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by wayof example only, and are not intended to be limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile floating deck barge system for use inperforming work on an underside of a structure extending over a body ofwater, the system comprising: a barge that can float on the body ofwater, said barge having a containment well for receiving blast watersand/or debris from said work; a working deck platform, having openingsthrough which blast waters and/or debris can pass to the containmentwell; a lift mechanism installed on the barge, said lift mechanismsupporting said working deck platform and configured to move the workingdeck platform between a lowered rest position and an elevated workingposition proximate the underside of the structure; a miniskirtattachable to the underside of the structure and extending to theworking deck platform when the working deck is in the elevated workingposition, said miniskirt inhibiting release of blast waters and/ordebris from the system; and a containment bag extending from the workingdeck to the barge when the working deck is in the elevated workingposition, said containment bag inhibiting release of blast waters and/ordebris from the system.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said workcomprises constructing, inspecting, repairing, cleaning, prepping,painting, or performing maintenance on the underside.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a recycling system for receiving blastwaters collected in the containment well, removing particulate matterfrom the blast waters, and collecting the particulate matter forremoval.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the recycling system islocated on the barge or on another barge.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the recycling system recycles the blast waters for reuse.
 6. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the recycling system comprises amulti-chambered settling tank and screen system and a pump for movingblast waters collected in the containment well through themulti-chambered settling tank and screen system.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the multi-chambered settling tank comprises a plurality ofdrums that can be removed to dispose of collected particulate matter. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the working deck platform comprises sidewalls extending at least partly around a periphery of the working deckplatform, and wherein the miniskirt extends to said sidewalls.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the working deck platform comprises removablefiberglass grating sections.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the liftmechanism can further move the working deck platform in a sidewaysdirection.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the containment bagcomprises a plurality of tarps extending from and around a periphery ofthe working deck platform.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein thestructure comprises a bridge.
 13. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a mechanism to inhibit damage to the platform by activating alimit switch in the lift mechanism if the platform comes into contactwith the structure.
 14. A method of performing work on an underside of astructure extending over a body of water, the method comprising:providing a barge that can float on the body of water, said barge havinga containment well and a working deck platform on the barge; raisingsaid working deck platform from a lowered rest position on the barge toan elevated working position proximate the underside of the structure;and performing work on the underside of the structure from the workingdeck platform, and passing used blast waters and/or debris from the workthrough openings in the working deck platform to the containment well,while inhibiting release of the blast waters and/or debris into the bodyof water.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising recycling theblast waters collected in the containment well by removing particulatematter from the blast waters and collecting the particulate matter forremoval.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of recycling isperformed on the barge or another barge.
 17. The method of claim 15further comprising reusing blast waters recycled in the recycling step.18. The method of claim 14, wherein performing the work comprisesconstructing, inspecting, repairing, cleaning, prepping, painting, orperforming maintenance on the underside.
 19. The method of claim 14,further comprising activating a limit switch in the lift mechanism ifthe platform comes into contact with the structure to inhibit damage tothe platform.